One of the most important steps in installing new flooring is checking the concrete moisture. A beginner contractor may forget this step, but it is essential to ensuring the new floors are installed properly. It needs to be done before any of the new V-8 flooring is laid down.
Concrete naturally holds some moisture. Problems arise if the moisture level is too high when the new flooring is installed. This happens when the concrete is new, or if it recently rained. The moisture will be trapped under the coating, but over time, hydrostatic pressure will force that moisture upwards. Installing floor coatings without a moisture vapor barrier on a floor with too high of a moisture vapor emission rate can result in adhesion failure, such as peaked seams, cupping, and/or buckling. The floor can expand so much that it lifts up, creating a gash in the floor.
To ensure proper installation, the key is to wait until the moisture level reaches an equilibrium point or is acceptably close to it before sealing. If you rush the installation, the above problems will occur. Pinpointing that specific equilibrium point sounds relatively simple in theory, but difficult to measure.
Using a moisture vapor barrier such as our REV M.V.P. epoxy as your primer allows you to install floor coating systems over areas with higher moisture readings. Our REV M.V.P. product is fast drying, and can even be used to coat 24 hour old concrete. By using a moisture vapor barrier, it will help to avoid failures that could be seen otherwise.
Luckily there are many ways to test concrete moisture. Testing moisture by feel is not enough, as often the moisture problems occur below the surface. This is when many contractors run into issues – by not testing properly.
It is recommended to use tests throughout the space (especially if it is large) to find a more accurate result. One of the most common testing methods is to tape a piece of plastic to the concrete, and squeezing out the air. Seal off the room (close windows and doors, block the area under the door with towels), wait 72 hours, and get a reading on a dew point hygrometer. This should provide an accurate enough reading to determine if the concrete is ready for new floors.
Moisture meters or a relative humidity probe can be used for a more accurate reading. The best concrete floor moisture test takes into account the relative humidity gradient in every concrete slab. Every concrete moisture meter provides information that installers can use to accurately conduct quantitative RH testing inside the slab. Based on the combined results, contractors can determine concrete moisture and slab readiness.
Skipping the concrete moisture testing step can be disastrous to the installation of resinous floors. Most of the issues come down the road when reinstallation is pricey and inconvenient. In order to avoid issues with your customers, a proper concrete moisture test can guarantee a smooth installation.
